Cabaguil welcomes other's eyes on the doors, and steps well back when Raspar and Kelvin get to work on the door.
He raises his dagger in defense, trying to be ready for anything that might leap through the open door!
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Shifting out of the way, the group allows Kelvin to get to work as Raspar puts his crowbar off to the side. Pulling out a neatly organized kit Kelvin takes a couple moments setting up a small mechanism to pull on the bolt through the narrow gap. Slowly, the bolt slides loose enough that kelvin is able to quietly open the set of double doors.
This dingy room is littered with toppled bunk beds and broken furniture, and doors too small but more private bedchambers hang open along the western and southern walls. In the room's center, bed frames are stacked upon each other to form a sort of fort, with filthy and ripped bedding draped over the top to form its ceiling and walls. Garbage litters the outskirts of the fort like some sort of trash moat.
This room was once a hostel-like barracks for low-ranking Hellknights and recruits, called Armigers, with small private rooms along the wall to the west for higher-ranking knights, and more plush rooms for the leaders in the rooms to the south.
Expecting a warm and friendly goblin greeting, Raspar moves into the room, not expecting treachery or attack. He trusts that Warbal is worried, but also doesn’t have too much reason to believe anything worrisome about the goblin tribe just yet.
”Hello? Goblins?! We’re friends!” He keeps his eyes open for friends he hasn’t met yet. He climbs up on the green bed to get a better look around.
Perception
Rather unkempt, Cuth notes while moving over to the other side. But that's not unusual for goblins; they don't always have a clear grasp of what is considered to be socially acceptable with other ancestries.
He inspects his side of the bed fort.
"Well, that's one way to do it." Dak enters too, scanning for magic and keeping his eyes sharp.
Cabaguil enters the building, dagger held shakily in front as he advances with the others.
He casts Detect Magic and starts to look around.
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Both Cabaguil and Ðakaþos don't sense any magical auras around the fort or the larger room, though that doesn't mean there isn't anything of use in the smaller side rooms.
Raspar and Cuthberwyn call out for the goblins and receive no answer from within. Climbing up onto the bed the pair peek in. Raspar is bushwacked as a goblinoid-type creature bursts from the darkest corners of the fort, grabbing at him with a snarl.
This creature resembles a twisted shadow puppet’s silhouette, a wild thing of flared black and brown fur whose pelt juts out from its body at freakish angles. The crouching shadow’s ears are large and floppy, draping shoulder-length, adding to the creature’s unnatural shape. Its eyes are too big for its head. Its panting mouth is filled with bristly needle-teeth spider-webbed in disgusting strands of yellowish saliva, all vibrating to the tune of its wheezing breath.
Ðakaþos (12/17; Wounded 1)
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Monster
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Dori (23/23)
Kelvin (17/20)
Cabaguil (14/14)
Raspar (17/17)
Cuthberwyn (15/18)
Ðakaþos moves with a start, "What the hell?!" He tries to make sense of his foe before moving in.
"Whatever ye may be, I wager you bleed." He steps forward and swings his hand and a half blade: for
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Ðakaþos doesn't recognize this sort of overgrown species of goblin at all, though he only catches a glimpse of it as it springs forth from the pillow fort.
Ðakaþos bastard sword slashes across the creature's furry arm as its wheezing breaths produce a painful snarl.
The larger goblin leaps at Raspar, quickly restraining him with immense strength. He finds himself quickly pinned as the goblin punches him in the face.
Raspar is mauler as the creature's slobber trails all down his face. The hot and heaving breathe heavy in his ear as it croaks out broken common. "Mmmmy Fooorrrt."
Ðakaþos (12/17; Wounded 1)
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Monster (-8)
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Dori (23/23)
Kelvin (17/20)
Cabaguil (14/14)
Raspar (8/17)
Cuthberwyn (15/18)
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Round 1
Action 1: Escape.
Action 2: Escape or draw.
Action 3: Escape or attack.
Rasp smiles as he is smashed in the face, a bit of blood running down his nose.
I bleed for you!
He tries to wriggle free.
Acrobatics
Then he tenses his back muscles, again trying to escape the bugbear's grasp or he will draw a starknife.
Athletics
If he has his weapon, he will attack, otherwise he will try to escape again.
Athletics or Attack
damage
AC: 18 +2 with shield action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 6/6/6
HP: 8/17
Focus: 0/3
Hero Points: 1
Speed: 25'
Round: 1
Weapon Equipped: Dagger
Conditions: None
Spooky: 5/5hp, Fast Movement, Life Link
Spells Spell attack +7 (T), Spell DC’s 17 (T)
Bloodline Focus: Diabolic Edict* (Focus Points: 1/1)
Cantrips: Detect Magic, Light, Prestidigitation, Produce Flame*, Read Aura
First Level: (3/3) Charm*, Heal, Purify Food and Drink
Cabaguil too tries to ascertain what they face (•>). If he learns anything of note, he immediately shares it.
Then he tries to blast it casting Produce Flame (•>>) and summoning up fire from the depths of hell! (or at least heck)
"Let go of Raspar!"
Cuth tries a color spray angled so as to not get any of his companions.
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Dori blocks a few of the claws from digging into Raspar as the dwarf's blade slices into the goblin's hand in retribution. Cabaguil thinks he recognizes what they face but the goblinoid descends back into the darkness of its fort as Dori wounds it, jerking Raspar down in front of it's face.
Cabaguil's hand bursts into flames. He tosses a small ball of fire into one of the mattresses as the flames stick to it like some bit of burning pitch.
With the creature's hand injured Raspar is just able to wriggle free from it's hold. Grabbing ahold of his starknife Raspar slashes at it, cutting a mattress wide open.
Cuthberwyn instantly recognizes the foe as a bugbear. Bugbears are known to remain quite stealthy as they bushwhack targets , mauling them to death Cuthberwyn sends a spray of colors inside the fort.
The bugbear looks a bit dazzled as the colors cascade across the side of its face.
Ðakaþos (12/17; Wounded 1)
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Bugbear (-19; dazzled everything concealed)
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Dori (23/23)
Kelvin (17/20)
Cabaguil (14/14)
Raspar (11/17)
Cuthberwyn (15/18)
Action 1: Stride
Action 2: Stride
Action 3: Strike
Kelvin rushes in, looping around to find an advantageous position. He then swings his morningstar, aiming for a vital organ!
Calmly, coldly, Ðakaþos quips, "Your death is at hand." The swing is extremely powerful, and aims for the base of the neck.
for plus
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Kelvin's morningstar crunches bones as the weapon strikes ribs. Ðakaþos raises his blade, aiming for the base of the neck, his bastard sword cleaving the bugbears hear right from its body.
Any valuables that were left in the open barrack are long looted and gone.
Ðakaþos (12/17; Wounded 1)
Dori (23/23)
Kelvin (17/20)
Cabaguil (14/14)
Raspar (11/17)
Cuthberwyn (15/18)
Raspar wipes the blood off his nose, smiling despite the bloody nose. He takes a moment to whisper a silent prayer to some god(dess).
He will also examine the corpse of the bugbear for loot.
Perception
"I found this!" Raspar brings back and hands off a lesser tanglefoot bag and a lesser flask of bottled lightning. "And a note. I will read it if I can."
Perception
Perception
Perception
vs DC 18 (smaller private rooms)
vs DC 15 (middle bedchamber)
vs DC 20 (eastern bedchamber)
Cabaguil looks around, finding little as his attention is within. I threw fire! I threw fire!
He's very excited. It's the first time in his life he's ever done that... in battle. And he didn't burst into flames himself! Nor did he have the urge to target his allies. He was in control. The whole time.
Whew... he thinks to himself as he casually glances in each of the rooms.
By the time the party meets again in the main chamber, he's more alert and ready to go. "So which way next do you think? Might be we finish this wing before heading to the center? Or is it better to go for the throat first in such circumstances?"
He particularly looks at Kelvin, who seems to have some experience in such matters.
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As the group continues to look about the pair of dwarves open a series of doors to the north.
This narrow corridor stretches around the octagonal center of the keep, and is divided into segments by doors leading through this level of the towers or into interior rooms. Here and there, a few remaining paintings of dour-faced Hellknights still grace the walls between high, narrow windows that let in limited light.
These hallways were always utilitarian, and have only become bleaker since the citadel was abandoned. They provide access to both the northern and southern wings of the keep; the northern wing was once reserved for public trials and functional Hellknight offices, while the southern wing held the knights’ living, eating, and training spaces.
He thanks Dori for the items, and looks at them quizzically. What are these?
He takes some time to figure it out and plans how he might have greater effect. He grins at the thought of throwing the electrical bomb. "hehehe."
Cabaguil looks up at the paintings, "Now that's a sour-pussed lot. Why do Hellknights never look happy?"
He follows the dwarves forward, carrying the tanglefoot bag, and sheathing his dagger for now.
Raspar pads after the dwarves and turns south at the fork. He decides this place might not be safe and dons his wooden shield, keeping a starknife in his other hand.
Stealth
Raspar isn't trying to be stealthy or quiet, but just naturally is by virtue of him not being a big goon. He's small, unshod, and stable and just not that jangly.
"Got a lot to say about the elf's strike, Dori? Guess you didn't see my handiwork that make it possible?" Kelvin grins, bantering with the old dwarf. "Your eyes must be clouding from all those years!"
Seeing Raspar pad forward, the dwarf nods. "He's got the idea," he says, sneaking forward
Seeing nothing of interest this way, Raspar spins on his bare feet, returning to the first room and the door on the left.
When others are ready, he will open the door.
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As everyone gathers back up, Raspar spins on his heels and heads back to the Bugbear fort. He quietly opens the door to the west and finds the Kitchen!
A dust-covered, black wooden countertop runs along the walls of the southwestern end of this galley-style room. It clearly was once a kitchen, but its cupboards and shelves were stripped of most tools and provisions long ago.
There are cabinets underneath the table here, as well as shelves running the length of the walls above it.
Kelvin hustles back with Raspar. As he passes Dori he says, "Seems this guy ain't one for commitment. Can't hardly blame him in this case, I suppose."
He plunks himself in front of the kitchen door after Raspar opens it, then sneaks in and places himself in a corner, morningstar ready to brain anything dangerous.
Assuming nothing dangerous springs out, he waves the group in.
A kitchen, of all places! Then again, why not. Even goblins and Hellknights have to eat at some point, Raspar figures.
The dwarfs mutter something amongst themselves he can't quite make out, and he briefly worries they don't like him or are making fun of him. He did have a bit of a rough time these past few days.
Focusing again on the kitchen, there doesn't appear anything useful left, but just in case, he searches the cabinets and drawers for anything useful... or delicious.
Perception
Cabaguil pokes his head in as well and helps Raspar look around by helpfully suggesting areas he might have missed. "You might try that breadbox. Could be something there."
He's unsure which of the next two doors should be tried. He leans North, but Westward looks good too. He waits for wiser heads than his own to make such weighty decisions.
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Raspar and Cabaguil begin digging through all of the drawers and breadbox. The wooden draws open stiffly as they were not set in the tracks right for some time now.
Most of the provisions and supplies left here are rotted and ruined. A spider crawls across Cabaguil's hand as he slides the breadbox open. he gives it a good smack, killing it instantly. Though there isn't much the pair think they might be able to salvage a few things. Specifically, there are enough loose herbs and oils remaining in storage jars to make two antidotes. Further, in a cabinet that looks like it once contained simple medical remedies, there are two doses of arsenic.
Raspar notices a small scratching sound, opening another drawer thousands of spiders begin to pour out of the crevices. The interior wooden dividers between the cabinets have long fallen into rot, and so the space underneath the countertop is uninterrupted. Swarms of fat, red spiders have taken up residence in this cool, dry place.
Raspar (17/17)
Ðakaþos (12/17; Wounded 1)
Cuthberwyn (15/18)
Kelvin (17/20)
Cabaguil (14/14)
Dori (23/23)
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Spiders
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The gnome lets out an Eep! and retreats back down the hallway. Turning back to his companions, he calls out, I fear I have little to help here, though a casting of grim tendrils might have some impact, if you will clear the way and let me try. He then will Take Cover behind the corner.
Action 1: Strike
Action 2: Strike
Action 3: Stride
"Nine Hells! Away with you, vermin!"
Having been ready for trouble, Kelvin puts his morningstar to use.
He then moves out of the room so that Cuthberwyn can do his thing.
Having never before fought so many creatures at once, Ðak strides forth and swings wildly with his blade in a sweeping motion:
for
for
Fire! Alchemist's fire! Anyone?!"
Round: 1
Weapon Equipped: Lesser Tanglefoot Bag, Lesser flask of bottled lightning
Conditions: None
Spooky: 5/5hp, Fast Movement, Life Link
Spells Spell attack +7 (T), Spell DC’s 17 (T)
Bloodline Focus: Diabolic Edict* (Focus Points: 1/1)
Cantrips: Detect Magic, Light, Prestidigitation, Produce Flame*, Read Aura
First Level: (3/3) Charm*, Heal, Purify Food and Drink
"Well, that's unpleasant."
Cabaguil draws the Lesser Bottled Lightning (•>), flings it at the spiders hoping to get both swarms (•>) and he retreats from the immediate battle to let others in.
+1 splash.
Round 1
Action 1: Draw starknife. No, not the burnt one. An mostly unused one.
Action 2: Strike.
Action 3: Strike with shield.
Raspar lets out a yelp when he opens a drawer just to be faced with a swarm of spiders. His heart starts racing, and his hand instinctively reaches for his starknife. He tries to hack and stab in the direction of the spiders, in an earnest but perhaps misguided attempt to get them away from him, his clothes, and his face.
He draws his starknife, then slashes at the spiders.
to hit;
slashing damage.
And seeing that that is less effective, he smashes with his shield, really trying to put his shoulder into it.
to hit;
blunt damage.
AC: 18 +2 with shield action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 6/6/6
HP: 0/17
Focus: 0/3
Hero Points: 1
Speed: 25'
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Raspar grips his starknife and begins slashing at the mass of spiders, While it goes through a few hundred they mostly seem unaffected. With the spiders mostly scattered for a moment Raspar's shield scrapes against the stone floor.
Ðakaþos slashes his own blade in a large sweeping motion which tends to dissipate the swarm as they scatter back into crevices of the rotting wood.
Cuthberwyn runs away, ducking behind cover as his fear of spiders overwhelms the little gnome while Kelvin stomps in beside Raspar, his morningstar crushing the little pests by the hundreds. With a few more stomps of his boots the spiders are gone just as quickly as they appeared.
Raspar (17/17)
Ðakaþos (12/17; Wounded 1)
Cuthberwyn (15/18)
Kelvin (17/20)
Cabaguil (14/14)
Dori (23/23)
"Fascinating." The erudite warrior looks about. "Anyone currently bleeding, poisoned, or intestinally too infirm to look about?"
Cabaguil is about to throw his flask when the party stomps the bulk of the creatures back into the darkness from which they came.
He smiles and puts his flask away again. "Well done."
He peers into the hole from which they came to see what, if anything, they might have been guarding.
Not getting to close in case there are more, he gets hung up watching a survivor as it scurries around a little before giving up the search.
You could possibly accuse Raspar of being easily startled. However, while disgusted, he certainly isn't *afraid* of any spiders. He nods to Kelvin in appreciation of the dwarf's quick and decisive work, and looks upon the mass of squished and stomped spider bits left behind. It's a sight to behold, and enough to put anyone off their search for food.
He suspiciously scans his surroundings for anything else that might be creeping, crawling, or otherwise move about.
If nothing else comes, and when others are ready, he will open up the north door.
Kelvin grins, proud of his handiwork. He moves to the northern door, checks over the door and gives it a listen, then, crouches silently ready to spring.
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This large training chamber holds rows of moldering straw‑filled dummies, many of them wielding wooden replicas of various martial weapons.
This once served as a training area for recruits, known as armigers, who were not yet ready to take part in the live drills the Order of the Nail often held here in the courtyard. The dummies are filled with rotting straw, and some are falling apart.
The wall to the south has crumbled and the room is now open to the outside, leaving this room brightly lit.
Everyone but Kelvin and Cabaguil notice an oddity in the seam of the wall in the southwest corner of the room. There is a secret door!
Raspar is quick to enter the room, moving to the opening to look outside, as if comparing the outside world to what lay within.
"Mr. Cabaguil? Mr. Cabaguil? What is this place for again? I've never been in a building like this before and it seems odd to have an opening here," Raspar asks, truly not having been in a building like this. In fact, he's spent most of his time outside.
He looks in and out, then in and out again.
"And Cuthberwyn, didn't you say you were an expert on goblins? Why would the goblins want to encamp here? It seems awfully drafty and full of spiders," Raspar asks, sincere in his question.
Dak's left eyebrow rises, "Hellknights had a tradition in which armiger recruits would have to pay a tithe by tucking coins into the dummies when their clumsy strikes failed to strike any stationary object." The elf then goes over and begins rummaging about. When he pulls away from the dummy, he displays 20 Silver pieces.
Dak points his large blade towards the irregularity. "Secret door. Always check them first."
Cuth moves back toward the remnants of the spider swarm, a light smile on his face as he hears the satisfactory crunch of the arachnids beneath his boots. He is grateful to his companions for their bravery and spider-vanquishing ability.
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
Capital! Cuth exclaims at Dak's revelation, as he pulls out his whip and snaps it at one of the dummies.
His whip tangles itself about the pole of the dummy and he spends a few moments to un-twist it, red in the face. I guess I owe you a silver, he mumbles quietly as he works.